Akal Takht excommunicates Sucha Singh Langah without a hearing

Having physical relationship outside marriage is violation of one of the four strict norms in the Sikh code of conduct.

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Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh announces the excommunication of former Punjab minister Sucha Singh Langah at Akal Tkhat Sahib in Amritsar on Thursday. (Rana Simranjit Singh)

In view of a rape case registered against former Punjab Cabinet minister Sucha Singh Langah, the Akal Takht on Thursday excommunicated him from Sikh fold for bringing disgrace to the community. The decision was taken at an urgent meeting of five Jathedars in Amritsar called by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh to discuss the issue. A person is generally given an opportunity to defend himself before being excommunicated by Akal Takht. Langah, however, was not not given opportunity to present his case. He was not even summoned.

Having physical relationship outside marriage is violation of one of the four strict norms in the Sikh code of conduct. Akal Takht Jathedar said that Sucha Singh Langah has violated Sikh code of conduct despite being on the important positions and brought disgrace for community. “Hence, he is excommunicated from the community. No Sikh should keep any social relationship with Langha from today onwards,” he said.

Twenty-eight Sikhs have been excommunicated from community since 1920 after formation of SGPC. Some of the them were taken back in fold after they accepted their mistakes. Earlier, present SAD(Badal) women wing president Bibi Jagir Kaur was also excommunicated by the Akal Takht on the issue of Nanakshahi Calendar in 2000. It was, however, a controversial decisions and was overturned within months. Parallel Jathedars, appointed by the Sarbat Khalsa, had also excommunicated Langah at a meeting held in Amritsar on Wednesday.

In Langah’s case, the decision comes close to the polling in Gurdaspur bypoll. Akal Takht’s decision is expected to give a face-saver to SAD before the electoral battle, where it is backing alliance partner BJP’s Swaran Salaria.

On the run since last Friday, Langah surrendered before a Gurdaspur court on Wednesday. Langah was SGPC member from Dhariwal. His resignation has already been accepted by the SGPC. Any excommunicated Sikh can be taken back if he accepts his mistake and bows to sentence from Akal Takht.

SIKHS EXCOMMUNICATED BY AKAL TAKHT

* August 9, 1928: Teja Singh and Niranjan Kaur for tempering with Guru Granth Sahib gurbani

* July 5, 1977: Giani Bhag Singh Ambala for writing a book on Dasam Granth

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* July 5, 1977: Baba Santa Singh (taken back in 2001) and then Union Home Minister Buta Singh for kar sewa to reconstruct Akal Takht building

* February, 1987: Then CM Surjit Singh Barnala for defying an edict to step down

* August 17, 1998: Piara Singh Bhaniara for comparing himself with Guru Gobind Singh

* November 22, 1998: US-based Sikh Mohinder Singh for tempering with Sikh code of conduct. Taken back in 2003

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* January 26, 2000: Then SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur due to differences over Nanakshahi calendar

* July 11, 2003: Sikh writer Gurbaksh Singh Kalaafgana for his controversial writings

* March 10, 2004: Joginder Singh, editor of a Punjabi news paper, for blasphemy

* January 26, 2010: Former Akal Takht Jathedar Darshan Singh for remarks against Guru Gobind Singh. As Akal Takht Jathedar, Darshan Singh had excommunicated then Punjab CM Surjit Singh Barnala in 1987.

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* July 16, 2014: Then Haryana minister Harmohinder Chatha, Jagdish Jhinda and former SGPC member Didar Nalvi for thier role Haryana Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee formation

* June 5, 2016: Five US Sikhs Kuldeep Singh, Gurdeep Singh, Amarjit Singh, Rajinder Singh, and Amarjit Singh “Narula” for tampering with baptism code

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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